Museum Views Early Bethlehem Through The Camera's Eye

March 16, 1988|by LORNA WEIL, The Morning Call

Soon after daguerreotype technology gave the world a "mirror with a memory" in 1839, photographers began to set up shop on Bethlehem's North and South sides and record the people and places of the period.

A sampling of their work can be seen in "Through the Camera's Eye: Bethlehem and Her People," on exhibit from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Moravian Museum, 66 W. Church St., Bethlehem.

The exhibit contains 100 early images from the museum's collection. It includes daguerreotypes (images made by exposing asensitized silver plate with mercury fumes). Ambrotypes (glass plate negatives backed with black to make them appear positive), early cameras and a stereopticon, or early stereo viewer, are also on display.

Beth Pearce, curator for Moravian Museums and Tours, noted that a majority of the scenes are buildings and landscapes of Bethlehem and South Bethlehem. Several photographs also have a connection with the Moravian Church's missions or other settlements.

There are views of the former Pleasure House and Boat Landing on Calypso Island, a long-gone island in the Lehigh River; the Dead House behind the Old Moravian Chapel on Heckewelder Place; Rauch's Jewelry Store building, where the Big Red Quick Print Center on Main Street now stands; and the Moravian Parochial School Class of 1870, which had members with such names as Luckenbach, still familiar today.

"The exhibit traces the development of Bethlehem's photographers until the turn of the century by displaying their works," Pearce said. "We have photographs from almost all the known photographers of that period."

Her research has produced a listing of Bethlehem photographers from the 1850s to the turn of the century. The works of some of these may still be found in some of the earlier homes.

The names of Alfred H. Hope, 33 S. Main St., and Henry P. Osborne Jr., 9 N. Main St., were found in an 1864 directory. M.A. Kleckner was in business at 63 Broad St. in 1866. Osborne's son joined the business in the 1870s.

An 1866 census lists Henry B. Eggert (then age 35) at 142 S. Main, and in 1897 he is shown at 53-55 S. Main. Eggert was a successful photographer well into the 20th century. William M. Flickinger, who set up at 50 S. Main and in 1897 at 17 Broad St., was in business into the 1900s. Another photographer was P. Leidigh Gross (age 58) at 326 North St., who died several years later.

Gustav A. Conradi was listed as a barber in 1890, at the age of 23, but by 1897 he had opened a photography shop at 103 Market St. Ambrose G. Fetter made the 1890 census. Fetter was working for Eggert by 1901.

Among the South Bethlehem photographers were Emil Schremple, 102 Mechanic St., and Frank L. Stuber, 10 W. 3rd St., according to the 1890 census. Frank L. Stuber Jr. worked with his father until 1901, when he is listed as a laborer for the Bethlehem Steel Co. Stuber moved to "W. 4th corner Broadway" by 1897.

Another photographer in 1897 was Nathan Chase, 10 W. 3rd St. By the turn of the century, three more photographers were established in South Bethlehem, Pearce said.

She explained that the daguerreotype was first introduced in Europe in 1839, but "it came here almost immediately and became all the rage."

It meant relatively "inexpensive photographs were available to the general public. Anyone could have a portrait made and not pay the high price of a painter. During the Civil War, soldiers sat often for a photographer and bought several copies to send home.

"Not only were true views of the wonders of the world available," she said, "the horrors of war now came close to home. No longer could people say, 'Mebbe there ain't no war, it's so far away.' With the use of photographs in newspapers, magazines and circulars, the facts of war could not be denied."

In the Moravian Church where many fine artists rendered views of settlements, members, mission stations, mission natives, "photography became a great asset for the church in promoting its mission work. Photographs were used in Moravian publications by the 1870s. Because Bethlehem was a center for Moravian mission work, soon views from around the world were available here," Pearce said.

The exhibit will continue through April 2. People wishing to make an appointment may call 867-0173.